Cardiff Business School hosts delegation from Shanghai Maritime University
7 October 2025
Cardiff Business School welcomed a senior delegation from Shanghai Maritime University (SMU) on 18 September 2025 to strengthen its long-standing partnership and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The delegation was led by Professor Beiping Chu, President of SMU, alongside Professor Wei Ruan (Director of the International Office and Dean of the International Education College), Mr Qin Liqing (Executive Dean of the Merchant Marine College), and Mr Gao Juntao (Deputy Dean of the Law School).
Dr Jane Haider, Deputy Head of Section for Logistics and Operations Management, opened the visit:
“The friendship between Cardiff University and Shanghai Maritime University goes back more than a decade. We have had the privilege of welcoming many SMU graduates into our Master’s and PhD programmes in Cardiff.
I visited Shanghai Maritime University in 2023, where we met Professor Xin Shi and Professor Wei Ruan. That milestone paved the way for a range of established and emerging Cardiff–Shanghai Maritime University partnership initiatives.
The visit began with a welcome meal hosted by colleagues from the Logistics and Operations Management (LOM) section – Professor Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues, Dr Jane Haider, and Dr Dimitrios Theocharis – followed by formal partnership discussions with the wider Cardiff team.
It is a privilege to host colleagues from Shanghai Maritime University here in Cardiff. As Head of the Logistics and Operations Management section, I see enormous potential in this partnership. Our section and Shanghai Maritime University are a natural fit – both are rooted in logistics, maritime, and transport studies, and both our cities share a strong port heritage. This synergy makes Cardiff and Shanghai a particularly good match for building impactful academic and professional collaborations.
Later, the delegation met with Professor Peng Zhou (University Dean of International), Professor Joshy Easaw (International Engagement Director), and Professor Yingli Wang (Pro-Dean for Research, Impact and Innovation). Discussions focused on current collaborations and future opportunities in teaching, research, and student exchange.
Professor Beiping Chu commented:
“Both Cardiff and Shanghai are known for their rich maritime history, and this shared heritage provides a strong foundation for our collaboration. Cardiff’s global reputation in logistics and shipping studies aligns closely with SMU’s expertise. Together we can build joint research projects, foster greater student mobility, and expand opportunities for staff exchange.”
Maritime trade transports goods and services, while educational exchange transmits knowledge and ideas. Cardiff University regards China as a strategic priority, and we are ready to develop a comprehensive range of educational exchanges and research collaborations with Shanghai Maritime University.
The visit reaffirmed Cardiff’s commitment to its partnership with SMU, highlighting shared strengths and ambitions for future collaboration.
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Dr Jane Haider
Deputy Head of Section, Reader (Associate Professor) in Transport, Logistics and Operations Management
Professor Vasco Sanchez Rodrigues
Head of the Logistics and Operations Management SectionProfessor in Sustainable Supply Chain Management
Professor Peng Zhou
Professor of Economics, University Dean of International, Director of Confucius Institute
Professor Yingli Wang
Pro-Dean for Research, Impact and InnovationProfessor in Logistics and Operations Management
